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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

12.5. Parking Design Standards

Santa Clara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Santa Clara

  • A. Standards. Except where in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, parking facilities shall be designed and built to the standards of SCCC § 18 74 040 through SCCC § 18 74 050 The following standards also apply:

1. Driveways

  • a. One-way driveways shall not exceed a width of 10 feet; two-way driveways shall not exceed a width of 20 feet

  • b. Curb cut flares shall collectively not exceed the width of the driveway by more than 20%

  • c. All driveways shall be perpendicular to the street

  • d. Driveways shall not affect the slope or direction of the sidewalk

2. Structured parking

  • a. Where adjacent to any street, structured parking shall be behind a depth of at least 30 feet of occupiable space on the ground floor, except as provided for in §12 4 A 2 c (below) The lining shall be designed per the Standards in Figure 12-1.

  • b. Fully-subterranean garages may extend to all lot lines Semi-subterranean garages may extend to building faces, provided that the ground floor is not more than 4 feet above sidewalk grade See Figure 12-2.

  • c. Parking structures may be unlined in specific locations Figure 12-3 regulates "Allowable Garage Facade Street Exposure", which varies by street and by ground and upper levels

  • d. Guidelines for efficient and effective parking structures include:

  • i. A 255 ft minimum length allows one bay to slope, rising 10 ft, with the opposite bay having a level floor The level floor improves visibility and allows for a street-facing facade to be level

  • ii. A 122 ft minimum width provides for 2-bays with 2-way traffic and perpendicular parking

  • iii. In the case of a garage in Block B adjacent to the existing office building: 6 levels of parking would make the garage rooftop the same height as the adjacent 7-story office building, potentially creating public rooftop space for both structures (with a connecting bridge)

  • iv. Glass-backed elevators and glass enclosed stairways enhance security

  • v. Ground floor commercial space in parking garages is encouraged

  • vi. Garage rooftops can include vegetation and/or solar collectors

3. Private garages:

FIGURE 12-1 | LINED STRUCTURED PARKING

==> picture [246 x 191] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Property Line Building Frontage Line
Upper Story Liner
Ground Story Liner Parking
Min Depth - 30'
Street
----- End of picture text -----

FIGURE 12-2 | SUBTERRANEAN PARKING

==> picture [238 x 197] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Building Frontage
Property Line Line
Street
----- End of picture text -----

  • a. Front-loaded garages are not permitted On-site parking shall be accessed from alleys or from drives where permitted per Section 5.3.C

18 Attachment 1:165

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

75 | Chapter 12: Building Use & Parking

FIGURE 12-3 | ALLOWABLE GARAGE FACADE STREET EXPOSURE

==> picture [537 x 234] intentionally omitted <==

LEGEND

All Stories : Parking garage may be exposed (unlined) on all stories of the facade Upper Stories Only : Parking garage may be exposed (unlined) on upper stories of the facade only (not on the ground floor)

18 Attachment 1:166

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

76 | City of Santa Clara Downtown Form-Base Code

13 Site Standards & Guidelines

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▸ Contents — Santa Clara Zoning Code
Santa Clara Zoning Code
  1. Article 1 — Enactment and Applicability
  2. Chapter 18.02 — Purpose and Applicability of Zoning Code
  3. Chapter 18.04 — Interpretation of the Zoning Code Provisions
  4. Chapter 18.06 — Zoning Map and Zones
  5. Chapter 18.10 — Residential Zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, UC,…
  6. Chapter 18.12 — Commercial Zones (C-C, C-N, C-R)
  7. Chapter 18.14 — Mixed Use Zones (MU-NC, MU-CC, MU-RC, MU-MD, M…
  8. Chapter 18.16 — Office and Industrial Zones (LO-RD, HO-RD, LI,…
  9. Chapter 18.18 — Special Purpose Zones (OS, PQP)
  10. Chapter 18.20 — Planned Development Zone (PD)
  11. Chapter 18.22 — Lawrence Station Area Plan Zoning District (LS…
  12. Chapter 18.24 — Two-Unit Dwelling Residential Development and …
  13. ▸ Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code
    Overview
    1. 1.1. Introduction
    2. 1.2. Applicability
    3. 1.3. Rules of Construction
    4. 1.4. Architectural Review
    5. 1.5. Public Notice
    6. 1.6. Director Interpretations
    7. 1.7. Deviation from Standards
    8. 2.1. A New Code for Downtown Santa Clara
    9. 3.1. Summary of Regulating Topics
    10. 4.1. The Downtown Zone
    11. 4.2. Character Overlays
    12. 5.2. Applicability
    13. 5.1. Intent
    14. 5.3. Standards
    15. 6.1. Intent
    16. 6.2. Applicability
    17. 6.3. Standards
    18. 6.3 Standards (continued)
    19. 6.3 Standards (continued)
    20. 7.1. Intent
    21. 7.2. Applicability
    22. 7.3. Standards
    23. 7.3 Standards (continued)
    24. 7.3 Standards (continued)
    25. 8.1. Intent and Applicability
    26. 8.2. Standards
    27. 8.2 Standards (continued)
    28. 8.2 Standards (continued)
    29. 9.1. Intent
    30. 9.3. General Standards
    31. 9.2. Applicability
    32. 9.4. Standards by Frontage Type
    33. 10.1. Intent
    34. 10.2. Applicability
    35. 10.3. General Standards
    36. 10.4. Standards & Guidelines by Type
    37. 11.1. Intent and Applicability
    38. 11.2. General Standards
    39. 11.3. Standards & Guidelines by Type
    40. 12.1. Building Use
    41. 12.2. Specified Use Definitions
    42. 12.3. CUP Conditions of Approval
    43. 12.4. Parking Requirements
    44. 12.5. Parking Design Standards
    45. 13.1. Introduction
    46. 13.2. Specific to Waste and Utility Placement
    47. 13.3. Specific to Site Walls
    48. 13.4. Specific to Lighting
    49. 13.5. On-Site Open Space
    50. 13.6. Elevating a Place with Art
    51. Article 3 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
  14. Chapter 18.30 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
  15. Chapter 18.32 — Residential Accessory Structures
  16. Chapter 18.34 — Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens
  17. Chapter 18.36 — Landscaping Standards
  18. Chapter 18.38 — Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Stan…
  19. Chapter 18.40 — Performance Standards
  20. Chapter 18.42 — Sign Standards
  21. Chapter 18.60 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
  22. Chapter 18.62 — Adult Business Uses
  23. Chapter 18.64 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing
  24. Chapter 18.66 — Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
  25. Chapter 18.90 — General Nonconforming Provisions
  26. Chapter 18.92 — Nonconforming Structures
  27. Chapter 18.94 — Nonconforming Uses
  28. Chapter 18.96 — Nonconforming Parcels
  29. Chapter 18.98 — Other Specific Nonconforming Provisions
  30. Chapter 18.110 — General Provisions
  31. Chapter 18.112 — Application Processing Procedures
  32. Chapter 18.114 — Conditional and Minor Use Permits
  33. Chapter 18.116 — Off-Site Parking Permits
  34. Chapter 18.118 — Reasonable Accommodation
  35. Chapter 18.120 — Architectural Review
  36. Chapter 18.122 — Temporary Use Permits
  37. Chapter 18.124 — Variances and Minor Modifications
  38. Chapter 18.126 — Zoning Clearances
  39. Chapter 18.128 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Exten…
  40. Chapter 18.130 — Historic Preservation
  41. Title 18 — Zoning Code

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